Bedpan washer



J. H. OKUN BEDPAN WASHER June 2, 1931.

Filed Oct. 7, 1929 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 V v Elmamioz Of/"1243' I June 2,1931.

J. H. OKUN 1,807,634

BEDPAN WASHER Filed Oct. 7, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2, 1931. J. H.OKUN 1,807,634

'YBEDPAN WASHER Filed Oct. 7, 1929 a Sheets-Sheet s aYATTd Y Q g IPatented June 2, 1931.

UNITED STATES PATENT oi-"r ce JOSEPH H. OKUN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK,ASSIGNOR TO KNY-SCHEERER CORPORA- TION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK BEDPAN WASHER Application filed October 7, 192asemi No. 397,845.

My invention relates to an improvement-in a bedpan washer and thenovelty of the same consists in the combination, adaptation andarrangement of parts as will be more fully hereinafter pointed out.

My bedpan washer is not only compact and of attractive appearance butadapted to perform the necessary functions in an automatic manner.

A bedpan washer is used primarily in hospitals and the nurses-orattendants who take care of the patients either have a large number ofpatients to take careof or have patients who are in critical conditionwho require constant attention. This results in these'nurses orattendants giving little or no heed to the care of the devices useddaily in connection with the care of the patients.

As the bedpan is one of the utensils used most frequently in connectionwith all patients, the nurses or attendants are particularly negligentin caring for the bedpan which in most cases requires not only athorough washing after use but also in some cases the use of hot wateror steam to thoroughly cleanse.

My device is adapted to meet thisurgent need for adequate bedpancleansing as it ef fects the cleansing simultaneously with the emptyingof the bedpan and does so automatically. I

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of my bedpanwasher, the' principal interior portions being shown in dotted outline.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the automatic controlmechanism, being broken away for convenience in illustration.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of my bedpan washer as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the same enlarged detail as shown inFigure 2.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of 'the'upper portion of my device with theoutside part broken away and with a further broken away portion throughthe bafiie plate so as to show the interior construction.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the upper portion of my device, with thedoor and connectingparts being open and a portion being broken away soas to show all of the in-' terior mountings of the door and bafiieplate.

In the drawings 5 is a base in which are mounted three adjustment screwsup ort members 6 and a lower body portion is adapted to be set on saidsupporting adjustment screws 6 so as to adjust support plate 10 on theset screws 6 to the desired elevation and so as to support the lowerbody portion 7 at the height and pitch desired so that the wasteconnection 11 may be readily and accurately made to the waste or sewerpi which is not shown, in spite of variations 1n the'floor pitch orvariations in the position at which the waste pipe outlet is positionedin the wall. The lower body portion 7 has the regulation waste trap 12.

An upper body portion 13 is rigidly secured to the lower body portion 7by means of the usual bolts and nuts at 14. A water inlet pipe 15 isconnected to the upper body portion 13 passing through a flushing valve16 of the usual well known construction automatically closing apredetermined period after opening and hence into the pipe connection 17and through passages 18 molded in the upper body portion 13 to outletnozzles 19 and 20.

The upper body portion 13 has an opening 21 .which terminates around itsouter. edge in a substantial lip 22 and over which a door 23 pivotallyhingedat 24 fits so as to efiect a complete but unsecured closing of theopening 21. 'Said door 23 has a flange 25 around its edge adapted toengage the flange 22 so as to effect a water splash proof closure of thebody ortion 13 and the inner lower lip 26 of said ange 25 serves tocatch any moisture which may collect on the inside of the door 23 sothat it will run back into the inside of the body portion 13. The door23 ispivotal- 1y hinged at 24 on rod 27 the hinged elements 24 havingsubstantial strap members 28 which are rigidly secured to the outside ofthey door 23 and thereby furnish a, heavy hinge or strap adequate to suport the door as it, is thrown open and closed under daily active serviceand strain. The rod 27 is supported rigidly in position by means ofbolts 29 which are secured through the body 13 in 100 the usual wellknown manner. On the inner dependent hinge members 30, one element ofthe hinges 30 being rigidly secured to a bathe plate 31 at 32 and saidbaffle plate 32 has a rack 33 rigidly secured thereto which is adaptedto receive and hold in position a bedpan of the usual construction. Anarm 34 is rigidly secured to the bottom of the bafiie plate 31 in whichis mounted a pin 35 adapted to travel back and forth in a slot 36 inplate 37 rigidly mounted on the inside of the door 23 whereby the bafileplate 31 is linked to the inside of the door 23 so that said bafiieplate 31 will move on its own hinges 30 through said link connectionwith the door 23.

A treadle 38 having afoot portion 39 is ivotally mounted on the lowerbody portion 7 in the usual manner on a shaft 40 which passestherethrough so as to turn readily thereon. The lower position of thistreadle 38 is limited by the stop bracket 41 rigidly secured at 42 inthe lower part of the body portion 7. An -arcuate arm 43 is rigidlysecured to the door 23 and a rod 44 terminating in a fork member 45 atits upper end is pivotally connected at 46 to said arm 43.. The rod 44at its lower end passes into a compression plunger 47 of usual wellknown construction which terminates'at its lower end in a hook member 48and a cirular bearing element 49 adapted to fit over a pin 50 mountedthrough the treadle 38 whereby on pushing down the treadle 38 by theoperators foot on the foot portion 39, the motion of the treadle 38 istransmitted through said compression member 47 rod 44, and arm 43whereby the door 23 is opened on its hinged elements 24. A clean outmember 67 of usual construction is formed in the base 7 and has theusual headed screw plate 68 closing same and a spring 76 is secured at74 to said plate 68 and at 75 to a clamp 77 which is rigidly fastened tosaid hook 48. Said spring 76 serves to restore said treadle 38 to itsraised position, when released by the foot of the operator, to be readyfor the next operation.

At the discharge end of flush valve 16 is mounted a shut ofi valve 51 ofusual and well known construction to stop or permit the flow of waterinto the passages 18, and which is operated by the turning of spindle 52on the outer end of which is rigidly secured a lever 53 having an ofisetportion 54 in which is mounted a in 55 at 56 so that it turns freely in54, said pin 55 being rigidly secured to offset clamp member 57 rigidlymounted at 58 in the usual well known manner on the rod 44 whereby asthe rod 44 is raised or lowered the offset clamp member 57 and pin 55will be raised and lowered so that the lever 53 and the spindle 52operated thereby will be turned so as to close valve 51 as the rod 44 ispulled down and so that the valve 51 will r be opened as the rod 44 israised. Shut off valve 51 may also be operated manually by means ofhandle and spindle 8.

The flushing valve 16 is operated in the usual well known manner bymeans of valve spindle 59 and this is operated in my device by means ofan offset clamp member 60 secured rigidly in position on the rod 44 inthe usual well known manner at '61 and on which is pivotally mounted at62 a project pulled down the projecting pivoted lever member 63 willlift thereon being pivoted at 62. When, however, the rod 44 is raisedthe lever 63 will engage the rigid lever and through arm 64 to whichlever 65 is rigidly secured, will pull the arm 64 so as to throw thespindle 59 and set the flushing valve 16 'into operation whereby in theusual Well known manner a definitely measured portion of water will passthrough into the passages 18 and outlet nozzles 19 and 20 When the wateris still flowing through the flushing valve 16 and the door 23 is openedduring said flow accidentally or unintentionally, the shut oii valve 51is operated by the lowering of the rod 44 as above described. and waterceases to flow. A passageway 66 leading from the upper body portion 13'into the trap 12 of the lower body portion 7 provides the usual drainagefor my device.

The waste connection 11 has the circular flared plate 69 with openings70 for efi'ecting the usual connection to the waste outlet which is notshown.

At the upper end of the body 13 is a ventilating pipe 71 whichterminates in the usual circular flared member 72 meant to be used forconnecting the same to a ventilating outlet which is not shown herein.

There is also the usual cleanout 7 3 of usual well known construction inthe trap 12.

It will be particularl noted that the spray from the nozzle 20 is aapted to wash the exterior of the bedpan whereas the spray from thenozzle 19 which projects into the bedpan is adapted to thoroughly washthe interior of the bedpan. Also it is to be noted that the baffle 31acts as a complete bafiie to all of the water being sprayed from bothspraying nozzles 19 and 20 so that none of the water driven from thesesprays can reachthe door 23 and that any steam or moisture which maygather on the inside of the door 23 will run down and be delivered fromthe lip 26 so that the door 23 is positively and absolutely protectedagainst any water or moisture leaking therefrom.

In operating my device the nurse or at- 'tendant will approach my deviceholding the bedpan containing the waste matter in both hands and onplacing one foot on the foot rest 39 of treadle 38 will press down thesame whereby the connection 48 will draw down the lower or seating partof the usual construction of the compression member 47 and through rod44 and arm 43 connected therewith pull down the door 23 far enough sothat it will then drop of its own weight through the cushioning of theplunger member in the compression member 47 through the arm 43 and rod44 so that the door 23 will gradually drop to the horizontal position,cushioned by the compression member 47. Simultaneously therewith theclamp member 57 through its connection with pin '56 and lever 53 willturn the spindle 52 thereby shutting off the shut off valve 51 andchecking the possible inflow of water through the water inlet 15. At thesame time the pivoted lever 63 on the clamp 60 will tilt upwardly as itpasses the lever 65 as the clamp 60 is carried down with the rod 44 sothat the spindle 59 of the flushing valve 16 is not affected. The nurseor attendant will then place the bedpan in the rack 33 on the inside ofthe baffle plate 31 which through the connections 34, 35, 36, and 37will be carried down to the horizontal positionby the opening anddropping of the door 23.

Thenurse will then remove the foot from the treadle member 39 'andlifting the door 7 23 by hand past the dead center or vertical position,will allow it to close to its full closed position under its own weightand the gradual compression operationof the compression member 47whereupon the baflle plate 31 through the connections 34, 35, 36 and 37as described, will also pass into a position parallel with the door 23whereby the waste matter in the bedpan contained therein will be emptiedinto the interior of the body portion 13 and will run down through theoutlet 66. Simultaneously with the closing of the door 23 the rod 44will be restored to itsnormal position as shown in Figures 1 and 3 andthe clamp 57 through'pin 55 being raised with the rod 44, will throughthe link 53 turn spindle 52 so as to again open the shut ofi valve 51.At the same time the clamp 60 will be raised on the rod 44 and thepivoted lever 63 hearing on the upper face of this clamp 60 will lift onthe lever 65 thereby turning the arm 64 which is integrally securedthereto. Arm 64 being mounted over the spindle 59 at its lower end willthereb press the spindle 59 so as to open the flushing valve 16, of theusual construction, and permit by its regular operation the usualmeasured quantit of water to pass through the inlets 18 to the spraynozzles 19 and 20. These are constructed to and will operate to spray ina forceful manner and will continue to flow until the full supply ofmeasured water passed by the operation of said valve 16'has beenexhausted. If, while the measured quantity of water is being thusdelivered through the flushing valve 16 to the spray nozzles 19 and 20,another nurse should come up to the device and open the door 23,instantly the lowering of the door 23, arm 43 and rod 44, will causethrough the lowering of clamp 57, pin 55 and the turning of the lever53, the closing of the spindle 52 in the inlet valve 51 thereby shuttingofi the water from the flushing valve 16 and from sprays 19 and 20 asdescribed. V

It will be understood that hot water or' steam can be fed into my devicethrough an independent opening or otherwise so that the bedpan can bethoroughly washed with hot water when necessary and also in order thatthe germ life may be killed by the use of live steam where this is foundadvisable.

It is to be noted that the outlet nozzles 19 and 20 are deliberatelyplaced well above the overflow point in the body 13 at the lower edge ofopening 21, so that, in case of the apparatus being clogged or stoppedup for any reason, there is no possibility through siphon- Y ing, thatthe waste or sewage matter will be drawn into the water supply. This isrecognized as imperative in the protection of the water supply system bythe reading Boards of Health of the country.

1. In a bedpan washer the combination of a base, an upright hollow bodythereon, a pivoted door on said body, a battle plate independentlypivoted in said body and linked at its free end to the inside of saiddoor, means for holding a bedpan on said baflle plate, ,a pedal pivotedin the lower part of said body and connected to said door, sprayingmeans in said body connected to---a source of water supply, means, onthe-closing of said door, for opening said source of water supply tosaid spraying means for a predetermined period of time, a safety meansto shut oflt' said supply of water when the said door is opened and turnon said supply when said door is again during said predetermined periodclosed and drainage means in the lower portion of said body.

2. In a bedpan washer-an u right hollow body, a pivoted door on saidbody, a baffle plate independentl pivoted within said body, means for eecting the movement of said bafiie with said door, bedpan holding meanson said bafile, foot operated means for gradually opening said door,spraying means within said body to spray a bedpan inside and outsidewhen mounted on said baflle, said y spraying means being connected to asource of water supply, means automatically operated by the closing ofsaid door for opening the water supply to saidspraying means for apredetermined period of time, means automatically operated by theopening of said door for shutting off the water supply to said sprayingmeans, and means for carrying off said Water and waste matter.

3. In a bedpan washer, a hollow body provided with an opening forinsertion and removal of a bedpan, a spraying means within said bodyadapted to be connected to a source of water supply for spraying saidbedpan, said opening extending a substantial distance below saidspraying means, a constantly open drain means at the bottom of said bodyconnected directly to a sewer, and a pivoted door tilting past deadcenter for closing said opening unsecured in closed position yieldableoutwardly to the pressure of any excess water gathering in said bodyupon clogging of said sewer drain to prevent the contamination of saidwater supply by the sewage. Y

4. In a bedpan washer a hollow body provided with a pivoted door, 'footoperated means for gradually opening said door, baflle means within saidbody to prevent splashing against said door and having means to carry abedpan, spraying means within said body connected to a source of watersupply for spraying said bedpan, means operated by the closing of saiddoor for opening said Water supply to said spraying means for apredetermined period of time and means operated by said door openingmeans to shut ofiz' the water supply to said spraying means upon openingof the door.

5. In a bedpan washer a hollow body having an opening provided with apivoted door, a battle plate independently pivoted Within said body,spraying means in said body adapted to be connected to a source of watersupply, said bafie plate being located to prevent water from saidspraying means from striking said door, means automatically operated bythe opening of said door for shutting ofi said water supply from saidspraying means and means automatically operated by the closing of saiddoor for open ing said water supply to said spraying means.

6. In a bedpan washer a hollow body having an open drain at its bottomand having an opening for insertion and removal of av bedpan, andprovided with a pivoted door unsecured in the closed position, a battleplate pivoted inside of said body, a Water spraying means within saidbody adapted to be connected to a source of water supply, said bafiieplatebeing located to prevent water from said spraying means fromstriking said door, said opening extending below said spraying means,and said door being yieldable outwardly to the pressure of any excesswater gathering in said body upon clogging of said drain means wherebythe contamina tion of said water supply by the sewage is prevented.

7. In a bedpan washer a hollow body provided with a pivoted door, abafile plate independently pivoted inside of said body, a spray meansmounted in said body, said bafile plate being adapted to prevent Waterfrom said spray from striking said door and said baffle plate havingmeans for carrying a bedpan and presenting said bedpan toward said spraymeans when said door is closed.

8. In a bedpan washer a hollow body provided with a pivoted door, abaffle plate independently pivoted inside of said door and means foreffecting its movement in synchronism with said door, said baffle platebeing adapted to carry a bedpan, means for opening said door graduallyby foot, water spraying means connected to a source of water supply,means for opening said water supply to said spraying means for apredetermined period of time and means on said door opening means forshutting oil the water supply to said spraying means when the door isopened and for turning it on when the door is closed during saidpredetermined period of time.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH H. OKUN.

